The following details have been supplied by the TUC:
Rogue companies will be the major beneficiaries of a dramatic cut in the Health and Safety Executive's resources, the TUC has warned. In a keynote address to the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) conference this week, TUC head of safety Hugh Robertson said: 'I don't agree that the cuts are necessary, nor do I believe that health and safety is a special case. The health service, education and social care are all important and we must show that there are alternatives to the cuts. He added that cuts to safety would lead to more expenditure by the NHS and employers as injuries and illnesses rose. He said 'money put into safety is an investment. If we reduce that investment, it will have a significant effect on lives and the ability of employers to support their workers.' He criticised the government's 'hands-off' approach to regulation, noting 'we have known since the 19th century that regulation is the only thing that works. Regulation and enforcement mean a level playing field and good employers shouldn't have to race to the bottom because non-compliant companies are breaking the law. We need the eyes and ears of inspectors in the workplace but these cuts will mean fewer inspectors and inspections.' Lawrence Waterman, head of health and safety for the Olympic Delivery Authority, accused HSE of losing its intellectual leadership in the debate about cost savings - a term he described as an 'obfuscation' for cuts. He expressed disappointment that the HSE had not provided a more coherent 'opposition' to the cuts by emphasising more clearly the business case for investing in health and safety. Safety minister Chris Grayling is expected to announce on 21 March the government's latest plans for workplace health and safety, including a further review of legislation. The TUC is organising a major demonstration against the cuts, and promoting alternatives, on 26th March in London.
